Page 76 of The Candlemaker

My hand on the wheel tightened.Dinner.It felt like months had passed since Gigi’s invitation yesterday morning; her request was completely forgotten until now.

I parked in line with the three other cars out front but left the engine running. My eyes skated to the front of the house, and even though the shades were drawn and I couldn’t hear a thing, I could feel the energy of her family pulsing inside it. The love they had for each other…for her…my teeth pressed tight.Maybe this wasn’t the best idea after last night.

“Ready?” Frankie pulled her bag onto her lap.

She assumed I was coming. Well, at least that was what she wanted me to think. That was Frankie, boldly declaring her will and daring anyone to deny her. But after last night, I couldn’t help but see the vulnerability there. It sounded like an assumption, but only to disguise the fact it was a plea.

“Frankie…”

The front door swung wide, a familiar head of bright orange hair popping through. “Francesca? Is that you out there?”

Frankie gave me a sheepish look. “No choice now,” she said and opened the passenger door. “Hi, Gigi. We’re coming.”

“Are you? Because it looked to me like you were waiting for the red carpet to be rolled out.”

My finger hesitated on the engine button. I could stillleave. I could make an excuse and drive away. It wasn’t like they had much cause to like me anyway; I was the person standing between Lou and her inn…and they’d invited me for dinner. I started to pull my hand away. It would be better for everyone if I didn’t stay.

Frankie turned and looked at me, her mouth firming when she realized I was going to leave—that I was going to be the man I’d told her I was. And then, without thinking, my finger punched the engine button and shut off the car, earning me that look of surprise I craved.

Pink cheeks. Parted lips.For one more night, I didn’t want to be that man, I wanted to be hers.

“Hello, Gigi,” I greeted the older woman as I stepped onto the wrap-around porch.

“Chandler!” Wiry but strong arms enveloped me. “So good to see you again.” Gigi pulled back and adjusted her massive glasses. “You look nervous. Why? I promise we don’t bite.” There was no question where certain parts of Frankie’s personality came from. “Well…most of us.” Her eyes flicked to Frankie, who faked a gasp.

“I don’t bite.”

Gigi made a sound of disbelief and then looked at me and winked. “I don’t think Chandler would mind if you did.”

“Gigi!”

I laughed. At this point, what else was there to do?What else did I even want to do?

“Let’s not keep your mother waiting.” She grinned and moseyed inside, Frankie mouthing an apology to me as we followed her.

The house was everything I didn’t realize I was expecting. Warm and inviting, with sage wreaths and exposed wood. The open floor plan allowed me to see straight from the front door to the other end of the house and let the lively conversationreach us immediately. But it was the scent that overwhelmed me—it was the smell of the house that made me feel the way I did, welcomed and at home, not the cozy decor or the warm laughter.

And I’d bet a cool billion it was because of her.

I slowed by the photos on the wall, instantly picking out Frankie and Lou, Gigi, with varying shades of hair color, and then connecting the dots that the other woman must be Frankie’s mom, Ailene, and the two large men, Frankie’s older half-brothers. Some photos even had her cousins. Well, at least the one I’d met, Nox. I just assumed the other guy and younger girl were family as well.

“Chandler…” Frankie paused, waiting for me.

“What’s the scent?” I asked, stopping just in front of her. “One of yours, I’m assuming.”

She caught her smile by her lower lip before it got too big. “Honeysuckle and mint. Mom’s favorite. It’s a limited-edition candle I make just for her.”

I hummed. “Very homey.”

Her mouth parted, and then she collected herself and said, “It’s called Homey Honeysuckle.”

Something buzzed through me, but just as quickly as it appeared, Frankie spun and led the way into the kitchen…and to meet the rest of her family.

In here, it smelled of barbecue and strawberries and oozed with laughter.

“Frankie’s here, everyone. And she brought a…guest, Chandler.” The pause beforeguestwas painfully exaggerated, but aside from that, there was no awkward break in the conversation. No angry stare down or skeptical assessment. Even Lou was the first in the room to greet me, her shy smile unchanging from my first day in town when she’d given me a tour.

“Chandler, welcome. I’m Ailene, it’s so nice tofinally meet you.” Frankie’s mom wiped her hands, the small crowd of family around the island parting to let her through like she were a queen.

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